19 February 2015

DWP refuses to release the peer reviews it has carried out in relation to deaths of benefits claimants.

What: DWP decides that it will not release any of the 60 peer reviews it says it has carried out. It claims the data is exempt under the “effective conduct of public affairs”, and under section 123 of the Social Security Administration Act (SSSA) 1992. These exemptions could be bypassed by securing the permission of the secretary of state to release anonymised versions of the peer reviews, but DWP chooses not to do so.

Why significant: DWP avoids releasing the peer reviews in any form.